Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 586 The Realm of Illusion
Dumbledore was first hit by a thrown weapon thrown by Sherlock, and the Marvolo Gaunt ring in his hand slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

Then, his hand was hit hard by a hard, strip-shaped object.

This time it hurts much more than before.

However, it was these two consecutive bouts of pain that finally pulled him out of the trance-like illusion created by the ring.

The unfocused pupils gradually focused, the shadows cast by the eyelashes under the eyes trembled slightly, and clarity slowly returned to the eyes.

His gaze fell on the black gemstone ring that gleamed with an eerie light on the ground, then swept over Sherlock's gray eyes. The impulse he had just been seduced by the ring, the urge to reach out and put it on, instantly became clear.

Guilt washed over her like a tidal wave. "Sherlock, I..."

He was about to speak when his voice carried a lingering sense of dazedness.

But Sherlock didn't give him a chance to explain.

Seeing that his eyes had regained their clarity, Sherlock rushed forward, grabbed the Horcrux with his gloved hand, and threw it directly into the metal box he had prepared beforehand.

I didn't turn around until the lid clicked shut.

His brow furrowed deeply, and he spoke forcefully, enunciating each word clearly:

"Sir, I need an explanation."

Dumbledore: (。﹏。*)
If anyone else were here, they would be quite surprised.

Albus Percival Woolflick Bryan Dumbledore.

The one who defeated the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

The only person Voldemort, the Dark Lord, feared.

The most powerful wizard of our time.

This is the kind of person who would actually bow his head and apologize to a fifteen-year-old wizard:

"I'm sorry, Sherlock."

Sherlock looked at Dumbledore without saying a word.

But his expression said it all.

Angry.

Very angry.

Even a fool would know that if Voldemort set up so much magic to protect the ring, how could he not have set up a spell on the ring itself?
Given Dumbledore's abilities, there's absolutely no way he wouldn't have thought of this.

But he actually planned to wear the ring!

Even though it was because the ring itself possessed a special quality that Sherlock was unaware of that it caused him to fall into that dazed state just now.

But what about your willpower?
Whatever the reason, are they willing to risk their lives?
Didn't you admit it yourself that Voldemort possesses strength that even you can't match?
Is this the result?

Sherlock has seen far too many fools.

But Dumbledore was clearly not that kind of person, yet he still did such a foolish thing, which was simply unbearable for him.

Dumbledore grew increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he was about to speak again, "Sherlock, I know I've made a foolish mistake, but..."

He had barely uttered the word "but" when Sherlock rudely interrupted him:
“Headmaster Dumbledore, your behavior just now has lowered the overall intelligence of Hogwarts.”

His voice wasn't loud, but it pierced people's hearts like ice picks, making Dumbledore swallow back the words he wanted to explain.

Sherlock could tell that he was unwilling to talk about what had just happened, so he didn't press him. Instead, he squatted down to pick up the throwing weapon he had just used.

Dumbledore noticed his movement and his eyes widened in surprise:

"W-what is this?"

If he wasn't mistaken, what Sherlock had just thrown at him was a handful of candy!
"Syrup toffee".

Sherlock did provide an answer.

This answer surprised Dumbledore even more.

Are you kidding me? Where can you find candy that hard?
My fingers are still throbbing!
"Hagrid made it himself."

Sherlock added another sentence.

Dumbledore: "..."

He took a deep breath and asked again, "Then... what you used to hit me later..."

“Barn fruit bread,” Sherlock said without looking up, “was also made by Hagrid.”

Good guy!
At that moment, Dumbledore felt a deep sense of admiration for Rubeus Hagrid.

How exactly did he manage to turn food into weapons?

"Let's go back, back to school."

Sherlock had finished preparing and gave Dumbledore a deep look:
"I think it's necessary to have Professor Snape come and take a look; he's quite the expert at swearing."

Dumbledore looked back at him, a hint of amusement and exasperation flashing in his blue-grey eyes.

Your ability to curse is actually no worse than his.

But he offered no explanation, nor did he ask Sherlock to return the Horcruxes to him.

Just nodded silently.

After leaving Gaunt's old house, Dumbledore and Sherlock once again used Apparition, and when they reappeared, they were in Hogsmeade Village.

The journey back to Hogwarts Castle was uneventful, but as soon as the two stepped into the Headmaster's office, Snape's black figure hurried up the stairs, the hem of his black robe sweeping across the silver patterns on the carpet with each step, stirring up a cool breeze.

When Dumbledore saw him, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He raised his hand and rubbed the back of his hand, which was still aching.
"Severus, did you need to see me?"

Snape was even more surprised than him, his lips beneath his hooked nose pressed into a straight line:
"Didn't you ask me for something?"

Dumbledore paused, then turned to look at Sherlock standing to the side, his eyes showing a hint of understanding.

“That’s right, I invited Professor Snape here,” Sherlock said in a calm, even voice.

Before Snape could react to Sherlock's false decree, he saw Sherlock step forward and pull a palm-sized metal box from his pocket.

He placed the box on the oak desk and pushed it toward him.

The box made a soft rustling sound as it slid across the table, mingling with the low chirping of the Phoenix Fox in the office.

Snape looked puzzled and first glanced at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore sighed deeply, his shoulders drooping slightly, but he did not stop them.

Seeing his unusual behavior, Snape began to examine the box closely and found that it was nothing special; the box was a matte silver-gray.

However, he sensed that the box was enchanted.

He suddenly realized something, his heart skipped a beat, and his dark pupils contracted sharply.

Instead of reaching for the box, he quickly drew his wand and pointed the tip at the box.

The lid popped open, revealing a ring inside set with a black gemstone.

Upon seeing this, Sherlock immediately narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling heavily on Dumbledore.

The meaning conveyed in their eyes couldn't be clearer.

Look at people!

Dumbledore: (。﹏。*)
At this moment, Snape also saw the ring in the box, and he couldn't help but gasp.

The icy air filled his throat, causing his voice to tremble slightly, and he managed to utter only two words:

"Horcrux!"

He abruptly raised his head, staring at Sherlock and Dumbledore in shock:

When did you find it?

“Just today.” Dumbledore forced a smile, his tone tinged with relief. “Thanks to Sherlock’s hint, I was able to find the clue…”

Sherlock interrupted him coldly: "It's a good thing you called me today, otherwise you would be wearing this ring."

These words were like ice water poured over Snape's head.

"What's up?"

Snape's voice rose instantly, turning to Dumbledore, his black robes billowing as he launched into a tirade:
"Are you crazy?"

“Severus, let me explain…” Dumbledore tried to explain, but his voice lacked confidence.

"Why are you wearing that ring?" Snape didn't listen at all, his questions coming in rapid succession.

“Severus…”

"It's enchanted, and that person cast the spell himself. Don't you know that?"

Snape's voice was filled with barely suppressed rage, his fingers gripping his wand so tightly that his knuckles turned white:
Why did you touch it again? Why?
Did a giant knock your head out of it?

Or was someone stuffing a piece of dung into your mouth?
Or maybe you drank too much sugar water, turning your brain into syrup!

Seeing Snape's rare loss of composure, with even his sarcastic remarks coming out like a machine gun, Sherlock finally managed a faint smile.

Snape had always avoided him, not wanting to reveal his secret.

But seeing Dumbledore do such a thing, his true temper was finally revealed.

This also fulfilled what he had previously told Dumbledore.

It's definitely more satisfying to have Snape teach them a lesson than to do it yourself.

"I'm sorry, Severus..."

Dumbledore looked at Snape's excited expression and said with a wry smile.

Snape's voice was almost forced out through clenched teeth, each word dripping with coldness:

"I don't need your apology, I just want to know why!"

"I...did do something stupid."

Dumbledore's gaze fell on the ring in the box, especially on the black gemstone on it, his expression complex. "The temptation is too great..."

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, especially the word "temptation," Sherlock's eyes sharpened instantly.

Snape stepped forward, his tone urgent as he pressed, "What temptation!"

Dumbledore was being stared at intently by the two men, one with a cold and sharp gaze, and the other with a tense and furious expression.

However, he simply shook his head slowly, his lips pressed into a straight line, without answering.

Sherlock and Snape were both intelligent men. They exchanged a glance and saw the same understanding in each other's eyes.

Dumbledore won't say, at least not now.

After exchanging a glance with Sherlock, Snape suddenly realized something and quickly looked away.

None of the three spoke, and the principal's office fell silent.

"So... what would happen if our dear headmaster wore this ring?"

Sherlock suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the office.

Snape gave Sherlock a deep look, then said in a very reluctant tone:

"If that's the case, it's a miracle that he came back alive!"
This ring is enchanted with an exceptionally powerful spell. I think the best I can do is suppress it and temporarily imprison the spell in one hand…

Sherlock nodded immediately: "I understand. I will die, but not immediately."

Dumbledore: "..."

Snape: "..."

The words may be rough, but the principle is sound.

"This is a curse cast by the Dark Lord himself; once you wear the ring, you will be cursed."

There is no way to resolve it, nor can it be contained forever.

It will eventually spread, and it will intensify over time.

At this point, Snape sighed with relief, "He takes one life every year or so."

"So, in a way, I saved Mr. Dumbledore's life, right?"

Sherlock turned to look at Dumbledore, who met his gaze calmly.

"Yes, Sherlock, you did a fantastic job, much better than I imagined."

Snape looked at Sherlock, his dark eyes filled with complex emotions, and finally said in a very awkward tone, "That's true, but why didn't you tell me about this before you left?"

Sherlock smiled without saying a word.

The professor was, as always, not frank enough.

I clearly wanted to thank myself, but I had to express it this way.

"Alright, Severus, I told him not to say it," Dumbledore said, trying to smooth things over and ease the awkward atmosphere.

But Snape didn't give him any face this time, his tone full of sarcasm: "That stupid confidence again, always thinking you can control everything, huh?"

“I can’t control anything,” Dumbledore shook his head, a hint of weariness in his eyes. “As I just said, I did something foolish.”

Snape added mercilessly, "You often do stupid things."

“More than one,” Sherlock continued, his tone calm yet precisely hitting the nail on the head.

Dumbledore: "..."

In that instant, Dumbledore suddenly sensed a commonality between Sherlock and Snape.

"Let me go, you two."

Dumbledore smiled wryly and pointed to the box that still contained the Marvologaunt ring: "We should destroy it as soon as possible."

Hearing Dumbledore bring up serious matters, Snape snorted, his anger subsiding slightly: "What do you intend to do?"

"Like destroying another Horcrux."

As Dumbledore spoke, he reached out and grabbed the Gryffindor sword from the side of the table.

Ever since Sherlock used it to kill the Basilisk, the blade has been tainted with the Basilisk's venom and has gained the ability to destroy Horcruxes.

Sherlock and Snape stared intently at Dumbledore.

He gripped the sword hilt with both hands, his fingertips even turning slightly white from the force.

The next moment, his arm rose steadily, and the tip of the sword was precisely aimed at the ring on the table.

With a soft sound, the moment the sword pierced the ring, the black gemstone burst forth with a dazzling blackish-purple light, which then quickly dimmed.

One minute later.

Marvologaunt's ring lay broken on the table in front of Dumbledore, next to Gryffindor's sword.

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Sherlock's tense shoulders relaxed.

Snape slowly loosened his grip on the wand.

Dumbledore let out a long breath, and the weariness in his eyes dissipated somewhat.

Although the process was thrilling, and Dumbledore even nearly lost his life, the final outcome was good.

(End of this chapter)